A FREE Daily Visitor Guide for the North Carolina Mountains and 50+ NC Mountain Cities: Grandfather Mountain Habitat has a New Eagle

Monday, November 4, 2013

Grandfather Mountain Habitat has a New Eagle

Sitka, a new female bald eagle arrived at Grandfather Mountain on October 16 2013, and was introduced to Griffin, the male bald eagle that has been living in the habitat since May 2013. The female eagle came from the Alaska Raptor Center and has been named after the town where the center is located, Sitka.

Sitka had suffered an injury to her right wing before arriving at the Alaska Raptor Center and was deemed unable to survive in the wild. Before Sitka was released into the habitat at Grandfather Mountain she received a medical check from Lee Bolt, DVM of Sweeten Creek Animal and Bird Hospital in Asheville, NC, and was found to be very healthy. Sitka's exact age is not known but darker feathers on her head may indicate that she is around five years old.

Sitka’s introduction to the eagle habitat and to Griffin is going very well. As expected the raptor is showing some signs of stress and anxiety but overall the habitat staff members and Dr. Bolt couldn’t ask for a better transition. The two eagles have been observed flying to sit on the same perch with each other...Read more

Grandfather mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet. The Mile High Swinging Bridge gives visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. Grandfather Mountain is a Nature Lovers' favorite offering Wildlife habitats, Nature Walks and Trails, Nature Programs, and a Nature Museum. The complex natural terrain includes 16 different classifications of natural communities with backcountry trails providing access to all.

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